Explanatory writing teacher the reader how. The writer breaks things down and includes details to give the reader a greater understanding of how to.
Lets move beyond the "How to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich," and use real life avenues to teach explanatory writing!
The following is an example of a mentor text. Inspired by Kelly Gallagher's Write Like This.
Hoboken is a fast-paced busy little city with lots of charm. Listen up and get ready for a good time… but only if you follow my suggestions!
1) Move it! Everyone is in a rush, so keep moving or get out of the way. From a businessman to a nanny with little ones, everyone is always in a rush.
2) Dinner at 5:00? No way! People work late and eat eat late in Hoboken. It’s a city of night owls so get used to it or your missing out!
3) Dogs, dogs, dogs! The only place with so many dogs and no dog friendly parks! The signs actually read, “No dogs on grass,” and the city dogs have learned to do their business between the parallel-parked cars.
4) Enjoy the summer and fall because the winter is brutal and rain will ruin your day!
5) Namaste, Free yoga on the pier is the BEST part of summers in Hoboken. Be there or be square.
6) NEVER stop and watch the fire trucks as they go by. It’s a dead give away and they will know you’re a newbie! With a siren whizzing by all day long, the locals hardly hear the ruckus anymore.
7) Smile at your neighbors and make friends in the dog park, it builds community. The longer you stay the more defined your role in the community will come. We really are a tight knit community disguised as a tough skinned city.
8) Can’t find parking? That’s fine, we double park all over the place. Just stop your car, put on the hazards, and run in to pick up the pizza. You will only get a ticket every one in five times you double park.
9) Speaking of parking tickets, get ready; they give them out like candy. Just when you think you understand the parking rules, POOF another ticket! Don’t worry, you will only cry the first few times you need to pay to have the boot removed!
10) Get ready to eat, a lot! Food, food and more food- we have a lot of restaurants! Eat out and eat well.
11) Don’t forget to stop and smell the roses. With one of the most breathtaking views on the Hudson, Hoboken has a 1+ mile riverside walkway. Be sure to catch the NYC skyline at night!
12) Where do city people spend their summer? Down the shore of course! Make it down there on the weekends and try paddle boarding it’s a blast!
So, that’s it, the good, the bad, and the ugly of the delightful town of Hoboken, NJ. Although this city seems tough on the outside, it is really a small community beside a beautiful river with a HUGE parking problem. Get ready to jump right in, this truly amazing city. We can’t wait to see you around!
- Your Future Not So Friendly, Kind of Friendly Neighbor
Gallagher, K. (2011) Write Like This: Teaching Real World Writing Through Modeling & Mentor Texts. Portland, ME: Stenhouse Publishers
Lets move beyond the "How to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich," and use real life avenues to teach explanatory writing!
The following is an example of a mentor text. Inspired by Kelly Gallagher's Write Like This.
Hoboken is a fast-paced busy little city with lots of charm. Listen up and get ready for a good time… but only if you follow my suggestions!
1) Move it! Everyone is in a rush, so keep moving or get out of the way. From a businessman to a nanny with little ones, everyone is always in a rush.2) Dinner at 5:00? No way! People work late and eat eat late in Hoboken. It’s a city of night owls so get used to it or your missing out!
3) Dogs, dogs, dogs! The only place with so many dogs and no dog friendly parks! The signs actually read, “No dogs on grass,” and the city dogs have learned to do their business between the parallel-parked cars.
4) Enjoy the summer and fall because the winter is brutal and rain will ruin your day!
5) Namaste, Free yoga on the pier is the BEST part of summers in Hoboken. Be there or be square.
6) NEVER stop and watch the fire trucks as they go by. It’s a dead give away and they will know you’re a newbie! With a siren whizzing by all day long, the locals hardly hear the ruckus anymore.
7) Smile at your neighbors and make friends in the dog park, it builds community. The longer you stay the more defined your role in the community will come. We really are a tight knit community disguised as a tough skinned city.
8) Can’t find parking? That’s fine, we double park all over the place. Just stop your car, put on the hazards, and run in to pick up the pizza. You will only get a ticket every one in five times you double park.
9) Speaking of parking tickets, get ready; they give them out like candy. Just when you think you understand the parking rules, POOF another ticket! Don’t worry, you will only cry the first few times you need to pay to have the boot removed!
10) Get ready to eat, a lot! Food, food and more food- we have a lot of restaurants! Eat out and eat well.
11) Don’t forget to stop and smell the roses. With one of the most breathtaking views on the Hudson, Hoboken has a 1+ mile riverside walkway. Be sure to catch the NYC skyline at night!
12) Where do city people spend their summer? Down the shore of course! Make it down there on the weekends and try paddle boarding it’s a blast!
So, that’s it, the good, the bad, and the ugly of the delightful town of Hoboken, NJ. Although this city seems tough on the outside, it is really a small community beside a beautiful river with a HUGE parking problem. Get ready to jump right in, this truly amazing city. We can’t wait to see you around!
- Your Future Not So Friendly, Kind of Friendly Neighbor
Gallagher, K. (2011) Write Like This: Teaching Real World Writing Through Modeling & Mentor Texts. Portland, ME: Stenhouse Publishers